Development News for Braintree, Massachusetts

Town Council Approves State Primary Election Procedures and Early Voting Site

The Town Council approved two orders related to the state primary election on September 1st, 2026. Order 26046 officially calls for the state primary election, outlining the offices to be voted on, including Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Receiver General, Auditor, Counselor, Senator, Representative in General Court, District Attorney, and Sheriff. Order 26047 designates Brainree Town Hall Cahill Auditorium as the early voting site and establishes the early voting hours from Saturday, August 22nd to Friday, August 28th, 2026. Both orders passed unanimously.

Massport Proposes Large-Scale Parking Garage and Remote Terminal in Braintree

Massport presented a proposal for a new 5,000-unit parking garage and remote turn terminal facility in Braintree, aimed at reducing congestion at Logan Airport. The project, which includes a phased buildout of approximately 2,800 spots in Phase 1 (starting October 2026) and an additional 2,600 in Phase 2 (around 2031), would consolidate TSA screening and security at the Braintree site. This remote terminal concept is a pilot program currently running in Framingham. Concerns were raised by the council regarding increased traffic on Forbes Road and Granite Street, the intersection's current 'F' rating, potential economic impact on local malls, and the absence of a pilot payment plan for the town. Massport acknowledged traffic concerns and committed to working with the town and state DOT on intersection improvements. The project will generate an estimated 2,000 direct construction jobs and permanent jobs in TSA, customer service, and maintenance. Existing Logan Express operations will temporarily move to Quincy Adams during construction, with employees returning to the Braintree site post-completion. Massport will also remove the movie screen at the site as part of the project. They plan to hold a town hall for community feedback.

Fire Headquarters Restoration Project Approved with CPA Funding

The Town Council opened a public hearing for the Brainree Fire Headquarters roof and facade restoration project, requesting CPA funding. The project aims to replace the existing roof with synthetic slate shingles and snow guards, and replace wood cornices, copper gutters, and downspouts to maintain the building's historic character. The Community Preservation Committee recommended approval of $1,39,629 in funding. The project is expected to begin in August and be completed before winter, ensuring the building remains operational without disruption to fire services. The funding is 100% from community preservation funds due to the building's location in the historic district. This restoration is seen as a necessary first step for future interior renovations.

Transfer Station and Drop-off Center Hours to be Reviewed

Councilor Flareity requested that the hours of the transfer station and the Ivory Street drop-off center be referred to the Committee on Public Works for discussion and review. The council agreed to this referral unanimously without objection.